Flu Cure

As many of you know, there are a multitude of places in the world which are dealing with terrible and life-threatening strains of the flu. The dominant strain this year is the Influenza A : H3N2 strain, and the flu shots are not very effective against it. I have thus far read reports of cases in: Australia, China, Korea, the U.K. and in the United States. I have also read about the severity and speed with which this illness has sickened and killed many people of all ages. Chances are that wherever you live on this planet (I have readers all-over the globe) you may know someone or have heard of the flu hitting somewhere near your vicinity. Visits to doctor's offices and other medical settings for flu symptoms this winter 2017/2018 surpasses every year since 2009/2010 in the United States. This is something that effects us all, and we need to slow down the speed of disease transmission.

With this flu season adding up to be a serious one, we need to remember all the things that our mothers told us. Remember to cover your mouth when coughing and your nose while sneezing. Even if you do not have the flu, this will help ensure cutting down the rate of disease transmission. Wash your hands frequently. Be conservative when you feel ill. In other words, stay home from work, or don't attend a party, if you have some inkling that you might be coming down with something. Don't send your children to school to infect others either.  You may be strong enough to overcome the flu but what if you or your child infects someone and they die from it? As a Christian, thinking this through does come under the banner of Christian caring.  We are to remember, what the Bible says in Luke 6:30 -"and as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."

As believers, let us try to be in the forefront of caring for one another. Make sure to ask an elderly neighbor or family member how they are doing and if there is anything that you can help them with. Are you willing to lend a hand to the aging population in your community or in your family? I know that it is not easy with your busy schedule but it is part of the social contract and the mark of Christian virtue in your life. Romans 15:1- "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves."

With all that is at stake we as Christians ought to be in the forefront of this dialogue. Talk to your child's teacher or school administrator and ask what sanitizing methods are in place to stem the tide of flu transmission. Some schools in the United States did a poor job of being proactive resulting in a large number of student sickness and even some school closings. Let's try to prevent that from happening especially when we know that young people have died from this flu strain.
Matthew 25:44-45- "They also will answer, 'Lord when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' "He will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."

While you are at it, let your Pastor or one of the elders at your church know of your concern for the health of the congregation. I once got the flu at a gym so remember to mention your concern the next time you work out. Don't forget to have a hand sanitizer for the next couple of weeks. When in doubt use it. Avoid shaking hands and ask your boss to recommend working from home to those employees who might be sick. Bring alcohol swabs to work to sanitize any shared surfaces such as door knobs, and shared computers. If enough people speak up in their spheres of influence, we might be able to make some positive contribution to slowing the spread of the flu. Hebrews 6:10- "God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them."

Most importantly, let us all commit to praying daily over this matter. The power of God to protect, to heal and to save is just a prayer away. "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up. And if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."-James 5:15